Cecelia Howard and Katherine Plowden arousing the prisoner Edward Griffith from his slumber 1841

Thomas Sully painted "Cecelia Howard and Katherine Plowden arousing the prisoner Edward Griffith from his slumber" in the 19th century. Here, the main figure holds a lamp, an ancient symbol of knowledge and truth, high above her head as if she were an ancient Greek statue. The light from the lamp awakens not only the prisoner but also our deepest, most primal understanding of hope. Throughout history, light has signified enlightenment, and its presence here suggests more than a simple awakening. Consider, for instance, similar motifs in medieval altarpieces where divine light symbolizes spiritual awakening. This symbol has carried through time, evolving from religious contexts to secular ones. The motif powerfully engages viewers by tapping into our collective memory, echoing the timeless struggle between despair and hope. Like a recurring dream, Sully presents a vision of the past, where a single spark can ignite the spirit.